Andhra BJP says it will expose Jagan’s negligence on water disputes

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Andhra BJP says it will expose Jagan’s negligence on water disputes

Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Somu Veerraju on Saturday said that the party will soon come up with a plan to expose the alleged negligence of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy over violation of existing water pacts.

“Very soon we will strategise a clear movement to ensure the completion of all the pending projects across the state and expose the negligence of Reddy even as Telandana CM’s antics are causing injustice to AP by violating existing water pacts,” said Veerraju.

He alleged that the chief ministers of both the Telugu states have colluded for personal and political gains, resorting to newer controversies and thereby preparing to sabotage both Rayalaseema and the people of the state.

Terming Reddy’s letters to the Centre as a drama, the BJP leader asserted that the party will not tolerate any alleged loss caused by those missives to the state at any cost.

“Disregarding several non-controversial projects, only the Polavaram project is being brought to the fore to inflate cost estimations and move around to approve them. On the other hand both these CMs talk to each other at night for their selfish gains,” claimed Veerraju.

Continuing his tirade against the neighbouring state’s Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), the opposition leader claimed that the foundations of the TRS have been jolted by the BJP’s ‘onslaught’, leading to TRS bringing Telangana sentient during elections to cause injustice to Rayalaseema people.

According to Veerraju, the water resources which Rayalaseema people were supposed to utilize are being wasted into the sea due to the poor understanding of Rao and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP).

He claimed that the movement being devised by the BJP will not let even a drop of water due for AP go waste and make sure to complete all the pending projects.

Mansukh Mandaviya takes charge as new Health Minister

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Mansukh Mandaviya takes charge as new Health Minister

Senior BJP leader Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday took charge of the key Health and Family Welfare Ministry amid the ongoing Covid pandemic.

Mandaviya was previously the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilisers in the Modi government.

He will also soon take charge of the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry.

Mandaviya was given the new responsibility after the first cabinet reshuffle in Modi government’s second stint on Wednesday.

The Health Ministry was held by Harsh Vardhan, who is one of the top ministers to be dropped in the reshuffle. The Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry was held by D.V. Sadananda Gowda who is also out of the cabinet.

In a major overhaul, Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday brought in 36 new faces to his Union Cabinet and promoted seven existing ministers. Meanwhile, 12 top ministers, including Harsh Vardhan, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Prakash Javadekar, have been dropped from the Cabinet.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Murugan sworn in as Union minister

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Tamil Nadu BJP chief Murugan sworn in as Union minister

Tamil Nadu state BJP president and noted lawyer in the Madras High Court, L. Murugan was sworn in as a Union Minister of State in the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.

The 44-year-old BJP leader has been a practicing lawyer at the Madras High Court for 15 years and has been a central government standing counsel ever since the BJP government assumed office.

After Pon Radhakrishnan, this is the second time a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu has been included in the Modi government as a minister.

Murugan was serving as state president of the BJP since March 2020 and had served as the Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from 2017 to 2020.

He was a leader of the ABVP in his student days.

In 2021 Assembly election, Murugan lost in the Dharapuram constituency by a margin of 812 votes to DMK leader N. Kayalvizhi.

Revanth Reddy takes charge as Congress’ new Telangana chief

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Revanth Reddy takes charge as Congress’ new Telangana chief

A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday took charge as the new President of Congress in Telangana and vowed to liberate the state from what he called the “misrule” of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his family members.

Taking the charge amid much fanfare and enthusiasm in the party, he called upon the leaders and workers to join hands to bring the party to power in 2023.

Addressing a public meeting, he alleged that four crore people of Telangana have “become hostage in the hands of four persons”.

Hitting out at the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Chief Minister Rao, the MP alleged that there is no freedom and self-rule in the state under their rule.

Revanth Reddy said Congress President Sonia Gandhi gave him the responsibility to work to fulfill the aspirations of people of Telangana.

Admonishing some workers who raised slogans hailing him, he said there should be no slogans in support of any individual leader other than party chief Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. He said slogans in support of individuals will damage the party.

The event was marked by enthusiasm among party workers at Gandhi Bhavan, the headquarters of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.

Revanth Reddy, who reached the party office in a huge rally, took charge from outgoing chief Uttam Kumar Reddy in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary incharge of party affairs in Kerala Tariq Anwar, AICC incharge for Telangana Manickam Tagore and several other leaders of the party.

Amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests, Uttam Kumar Reddy handed over the charge to Revanth Reddy who was appointed to the top post on June 26.

The newly-appointed TPCC Working Presidents including former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, and former minister J. Geetha Reddy and others were present.

The public meeting organised on the occasion became a show of unity by the party leaders. Barring MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who publicly criticised the appointment of Revanth Reddy, and few others, leaders came together and vowed to work as a team to bring Congress to power in 2023 elections.

Leaders, who were reported to be unhappy over Revant Reddy’s appointment, also attended the celebration.

Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary, former TPCC chief Ponnala Laxmaiah, former Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, AICC Secretary Madhu Goud Yaskhi and others were present.

Earlier, Revanth Reddy offered prayers at a temple and a dargah before reaching the Congress HQ in a rally attended by large number of supporters. Party leaders say Gandhi Bhavan saw such celebration for the first time in seven years. The last time it witnessed a grand celebration was in 2014 when Telangana was carved out as a separate state with bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Despite granting statehood to Telangana, the Congress suffered defeat in 2014 and 2018 elections at the hands of the TRS.

Some party leaders feel Revanth Reddy’s appointment will help revive party’s fortunes. However, the 53-year-old is also facing dissent from some senior leaders who were in the race for the post.

Revanth, known as a fire-brand leader and considered popular among youth, had resigned from the Telugu Desam Party to join the Congress.

Bihar Cong leaders meet Rahul amid talks of change of guard

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Bihar Cong leaders meet Rahul amid talks of change of guard

Amid talks of change in party organization in the state, Congress leaders and MLAs from Bihar were called to Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday. The Congress is contemplating a change in leadership in the state after party fared badly in the last year’s assembly elections.

The Congress is headed in the state by Madan Mohan Jha and despite alliance with the RJD and contesting on 70 seats, the party could not cross 20 in the state.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker and senior Congress leader Meira Kumar said, “the meeting was to discuss how to strengthen the party in the state.”

Many Congress leaders are in fray for the top post in Bihar, but the party is considering to appoint somebody from the scheduled caste.

Sources have said that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his aides are in contact with some of the Congress MLAs and Congress’ top leaders learnt about the development.

However, the party’s top leadership has denied any such developments.

Madan Mohan Jha, Bihar Congress chief told in an interview: “Our MLAs and MPs are with us and they have faith in the Congress party and leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.”

“Our MLAs, MLCs, MPs and ex-CLP leaders and other top state leaders had expressed desire to meet with Rahul Gandhi and he gave us time on July 7,” Jha said.

Murari Gautam, Congress MLA from Chenari in Rohtas told in an interview: “We have an executive committee meeting scheduled on July 7 where we will discuss the present political circumstances of Bihar and future policies with our leader Rahul Gandhi.”

Yogi, Mayawati condole Dilip Kumar’s demise

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Yogi, Mayawati condole Dilip Kumar’s demise

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday condoled the passing away of veteran Bollywood superstar Dilip Kumar.

In a tweet, the chief minister said that his passing away is an “irreparable loss to the film industry”. He said that he prayed to God to give strength to his family to bear the loss.

Bahujan Samaj party president and former chief minister Mayawati also expressed grief over the demise of Dilip Kumar and conveyed her condolences to his wife Saira Banu.

The 98-year-old actor passed away in Mumbai earlier in the day due to age-related illness, his family confirmed. He died at the private Hinduja Hospital where he had been admitted for certain breathing-related issues.

Modi cabinet reshuffle expected soon, BJP MPs asked to reach Delhi

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Modi cabinet reshuffle expected soon, BJP MPs asked to reach Delhi

Amid strong buzz in the political circle about possible reshuffle in the union cabinet later this week, first in the second term of the Narendra Modi government, sources said that cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place in a couple of days and BJP MPs are asked to reach the national capital at the earliest.

However, there is no confirmation from the party or the government about the time of possible cabinet reshuffle.

A party insider said that BJP chief J.P. Nadda, who is on a two-day visit to Himachal Pradesh, will be returning to New Delhi on Tuesday evening. “Nadda ji has reached Himachal Pradesh to attend his personal and organisational program. He is reaching Delhi later today for some important work,” he said.

Sources said that ahead of reshuffle the Prime Minister is likely to hold a meeting with senior ministers and party chief Nadda in the evening but there is no confirmation about the meeting.

Party functionaries claimed that calls were made to several party leaders who are expected to be inducted in the cabinet, to reach Delhi. “Following the direction of party leadership, former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia are reaching Delhi today,” he said.

Sources said that Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is likely to be inducted in Modi cabinet, has cut short his visit to Indore in Madhya Pradesh and is reaching the national capital in evening. “Earlier Scindia is expected to take on a flight from Indore to Delhi on July 7 at 11 a.m. But after he was asked to reach Delhi at the earliest, Scindia is leaving for Delhi from Indore at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Before leaving for Delhi, Scindia took blessings at Mahakal Temple in Ujjain,” said a BJP leader aware of the Scindia program.

Amid the buzz, a video of former union minister late Ram Vilas Paswan’s brother Pashupati Paras went viral in which he is seen buying clothes for his new ‘kurta’ he is likely to wear in swearing in ceremony.

“Inducting Paras in the cabinet will also clarify BJP’s stand that which faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has the support of the Prime Minister and the saffron party,” a party leader said.

Some BJP MPs eyeing the ministerial berth this time, however, said that they have not received any call from either the Prime Minister office or party. “Appinting a minister is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. I haven’t received any call but heard MPs are asked to reach Delhi as soon as possible,” a BJP MP said.

Another BJP functionary said that alliance partner Janta Dal United (JD-U) leaders — R.C.P. Singh and Rajeev Ranjan ‘Lallan’ are also reaching the national capital. “JD-U who did not join the Modi government in 2019 is likely to get two ministerial berths while the party is asking for three,” he said.

Apna Dal chief Anupriya Patel is also likely to be made minister. She was part of the Modi government in the first term.

Party sources claimed that reshuffle is due and it will happen before the monsoon session of parliament starting from July 19 but it may happen in the next few days. “Cabinet expansion is due to fill up the vaccines and it is believed that it will happen soon this week,” he said.

Since last month there have been speculations about possible union cabinet reshuffle and the Prime Minister held several rounds of discussion with senior party leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party chief Nadda and general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh. He (Modi) personally reviewed the performance of existing ministers.

Sources claimed that few ministers will be dropped and they will be accommodated in some other position.

“Union Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot has been appointed governor of Karnataka. More ministers and especially those above 70 years are likely to be dropped and might be appointed governor, Gehlot is aged around 73 years. We heard that the Prime Minister is likely to induct young faces to give a new look to his cabinet,” they said.

How the young impressed Modi with ‘Heritage Race’ VR game

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How the young impressed Modi with ‘Heritage Race’ VR game

A virtual game that allows users to view historic monuments while cycling indoors has won accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the grand finale of the digital ‘Toycathon 2021’ event organised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and some key ministries.

Nineteen-year-old civil engineering student Athik Mohamed M. from Thiagarajar Polytechnic College in Salem, Tamil Nadu, added a layer of virtual reality (VR) to the exercise cycle so that the rider could ‘go’ somewhere while cycling away.

Athik presented his digitally-connected racer that promotes Indian culture and heritage while being physically active to Modi in a virtual session. Athik and his team also added soothing Vedic music in the background — just the right dose to capture the PM’s attention.

Modi appreciated the new game idea and suggested that the team should devise a similar mechanism for a treadmill user.

According to a college statement, Athik assured the prime minister to work on his suggestion, along with team members Deepesh M and Anung Yangfo K.

“I felt honoured. I will work on the ideas suggested by the PM to enhance the scope of this game,” Athik said.

What is needed is a VR headset, a phone, and the app to play the ‘Heritage Race’ game.

What makes the game interesting is that users on a regular bicycle can follow heritage routes and even listen to soothing Vedic music in the background. The user gets a 360-degree view.

‘Toycathon 2021’ was organised by the Ministry of Education and AICTE in coordination with Ministries of Women & Child Development, Information & Broadcasting, Commerce & Industry and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles.

‘Toycathon’ programme encourages the development of innovative toys and games.

Of the nearly 17,000 ideas submitted, 1,567 ideas were shortlisted for the three-day online Toycathon grand finale in end June, and only seven outstanding ideas were chosen to be presented to the Prime Minister and the ‘Heritage Race’ game was one of those seven ideas.

“We encouraged the participating team to continue innovating to overcome technical challenges,” said V. Karthikeyan, Principal, adding that Thiagarajar Polytechnic College and Sona College of Technology Chairman, C. Valliappa, encouraged young students to put in their best to create digital toys and support ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat Innovate Challenge’.

VP calls for research on zoonotic diseases

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VP calls for research on zoonotic diseases

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday underlined the need for research to predict zoonotic diseases better.

Alluding to zoonotic diseases like Covid-19, he urged the researchers and zoos to utilize their resources and expertise optimally to predict emerging infectious diseases from animals to humans.

He visited Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad on Friday. The Vice President interacted with the wildlife scientists and saw the main facilities for wildlife conservation at LaCONES. This included the National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank and the Assisted Reproduction Lab.

He also released a book on ‘Introduction to Genetic Resource Banks for Wildlife Conservation’ authored by LaCONES and Central Zoo Authority.

Venkaiah Naidu emphasized on the importance of studying wildlife for conserving endangered species and to also understand and predict zoonotic diseases better. “Research institutes such as LaCONES-CCMB and zoos have to work together. Zoos across the country can avail themselves the different modern biology tools for studying diseases in wildlife, preserve their genetic material, avail assisted reproductive technologies. They should also be a partner in research to understand reproductive anatomy and physiology in wildlife,” he said.

Recently Central Zoo Authority formed a consortium of six zoos from different parts of India and LaCONES-CCMB. “Central Zoo Authority has been instrumental in bringing zoos together with a research institute like ours. We want this consortium to set an example of how zoos and a wildlife research institute like LaCONES can work cohesively towards shared goals. The National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank at LaCONES can become a storehouse of biological samples from all zoos in India. These samples can then be used for artificial insemination, creating sperms and oocytes through modern biotechnological tools, and help revive the endangered animals,” said Dr. Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Scientist-in-charge at LaCONES-CCMB.

Vinay Nandicoori, Director, CSIR-CCMB observed that in the current scene of climate change and a pandemic, it is necessary and timely that active collaborations happen between molecular biologists, ecologists, and zoos. “Many countries have shown examples of how this can be done impactfully. And LaCONES-CCMB has demonstrated its capabilities over the last decade. It is time for Indian zoos to take advantage of our tools and expertise,” he said.

Yogi govt claims to fulfil promises of 2017 manifesto

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Yogi govt claims to fulfil promises of 2017 manifesto

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has claimed to fulfill the Bharatiya Janata Party’s pledge for agricultural development as well as promises made to the farmers in its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra, which was released during the last state Assembly elections in 2017.

According to a government spokesman, the Yogi Adityanath government’s journey to develop agriculture and uplift farmers began with the waiving off loans to the tune of a whopping Rs 36,000 crore of 86 lakh farmers.

This was followed by the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna to recognize progressive and innovative farmers as well as provide an insurance cover for their produce respectively.

From laying a strong foundation for agricultural development to making it a profitable sector and doubling farmers’ income, the Yogi government has many achievements to boast of.

In the last four years, the state government has made a record payment of Rs 1,37,891 crore to 45.74 lakh sugarcane farmers, which is two times more than payments made during the Bahujan Samaj Party government and one and a half times more than made during the Samajwadi Party government’s tenure.

Fulfilling the promise of development of agriculture, farmers, and farm laborers, the Yogi government not only achieved record grain production and procurement but also made direct payments to the accounts of farmers within 72 hours, eliminating middlemen from the procurement process.

The spokesman said that the agricultural production in the state increased from 389.28 lakh metric tonnes in 2014-2015 to 624.19 lakh metric tonnes in 2020-2021.

The procurement of paddy, maize, and wheat also increased manifold.

Other achievements of the Yogi Adityanath government include promoting cow-based zero budget farming, running 119 sugar mills during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, granting license for sanitizer production to 91 sugar mills, generation of electricity worth Rs 1500 crore at sugar mills.

The state government has also ensured completion of the Ban Sagar Dam project which was pending for 46 years as well as eight other small and medium scale dam projects, registration of 6.18 crore farmers under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the establishment of 20 new Krishi Vigyan Kendras, registration of two lakh farmers on e-procurement portal.

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